Shank Guard

ABSTRACT

A novel removable boot attachment for protecting workboot shanks and soles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the design and construction of a novelremovable boot attachment for protecting workboot shanks and soles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a wedge shaped device, constructed ofany suitable material, including but not limited to metals, plastics andrubbers, removably fastened to the underside of a boot to protect theboot shank and the user's foot from the impact force of kicking a shovelor other object. The device may be removably affixed to the boot bottomvia straps, a hook and loop closure system (a/k/a “Velcro”) or othersuitable means.

While working with shovels or other digging implements, workers willoften place considerable force on the longitudal and transverse archportion of a foot and its accompanying footwear. This area is also knownas the shank and is that portion of the footwear sole immediatelypreceding the heel. Kicking of a shovel or other tool with this portionof the foot is common and results in many types of foot injuries and inaccelerated wear of the footwear sole. Similarly, this portion of thefoot and footwear is often used to kick or provide leverage in anynumber of physical activities. Linemen (pole climbers) in particular,rely upon this isolated portion of the foot and footwear to support theentire weight of their bodies and workload when ascending or descendingpoles utilizing gaff hooks (pole spikes). In the above examples, theundue force and stress on this portion of the foot and footwear createsa higher risk of injury to the user and damage to the footwear.

Reinforced work boots are available to help reduce the risk of injury ordamage. In the case of linemen, steel shanks are utilized in the linemenboot arches to help support the lineman's weight on the gaff hook. Whilethe steel shank may reduce the stress of isolating weight on the narrowgaff hook, it does not reduce the accelerated wear on this portion ofthe boot sole caused by repeated climbing activities. Furthermore, asteel shank does little to nothing in protecting a foot from the shockand vibration transmitted through the boot when the arch is utilized indigging or kicking activities.

In view of the prior arts' shortcomings, it is thus desirable to createa user replaceable, removable boot attachment designed to protect a bootsole from damage caused by stress to the arch portion of the sole and tofurther protect a user's foot arch from the stress of various activitiesas described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B are an elevation view from the bottom (1A) and a bottom view(1B) of one embodiment of the shank guard.

FIGS. 2A-2B are side views of the shank guard.

FIGS. 3A-3B are an elevation view from the top side (3A) and a top view(3B) of the shank guard.

FIGS. 4A-B are a side view and a top elevation view of the shank guardwith a rubber cushion affixed to the top side.

FIGS. 5A-5C are a side (5A) top (5B) and bottom (5C) view of the shankguard with a hook and loop closure system affixed to the top surface.

FIG. 6A is a front view, omitting the footwear, showing the front-sideof the shank guard and the two strap system secured with buckle andkeeper.

FIG. 6B is a bottom view, omitting the footwear, showing the bottom ofthe shank guard and a two strap system secured with a hook and loopclosure system.

FIG. 6C is a right hand view, omitting the footwear, showing a side viewof the shank guard and the two strap system designed to be secured witha buckle.

FIG. 6D is a top view, omitting the footwear, showing the top side ofthe shank guard, and the two strap system secured by a buckle andkeeper.

FIG. 7 is top elevation view of the shank guard with the two strapsystem, buckle and keeper as would be positioned on footwear.

FIG. 8 is side view of the shank guard and two strap system with buckleand keeper, shown positionally secured on a boot as described andclaimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Shown in FIGS. 1A-1B is the device (1) which is substantially wedgeshaped and sized to fit to the underside of a boot sole. One side (1 a)abuts adjacent a boot heel and may be referred to as the rear. The topsurface (1 b) abuts the boot sole and the bottom surface (1 c) isexposed to the walking or work surface when installed on the boot. Thebottom surface may contain ribs to offer a secure and non-slip contactpoint for climbing or applying leverage against a tool. A slot (2) maybe cut into the device for purposes of securing said device to a bootwith a strap.

Shown in FIGS. 2A-2B are side views of the shank guard. The top surface(1 b), bottom surface (1 c) and boot heel or back surface (1 a) beingindicated therein. The slot (2) is indicated and ribs on the bottomsurface are indicated.

Shown in FIGS. 3A-3B are elevation views from the top side (1 b)indicating the slot (2) of the shank guard.

Shown in FIGS. 4A-4B is the shank guard with a rubber cushion (5)affixed to the top side (1 b) of the shank guard.

Shown in FIGS. 5A-5C are the shank guard with a hook and loop closuresystem (12) affixed to the top side (1 b) of the shank guard. Theclosure system (12) may be mated with a complementary closure systemattached to the footwear in lieu of, or in addition to, other securingmeans.

Shown in FIGS. 6A-6D are four views of the shank guard and two strapsystem as would be positionally related, but omitting the footwear. FIG.6A shows a front view wherein the shank guard (1) has a first strap (6)passing through a slot (2), wrapping vertically around the instep/toesection of a boot (omitted) and secured by a buckle (7) and keeper (8).Other closure means such as a hook and loop closure system typicallyknown by the trademark “VELCRO” may be utilized for securing the firststrap in a closed position. A second strap (9) is secured to said firststrap (6) and wraps around the ankle/heel portion of the footwear andmay be secured by similar means. The device slot (2) may be manufacturedwith an opening as pictured along the top surface of said device inFIGS. 3A-3C to facilitate insertion and removal of first strap (6).

Shown in FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the shank guard and strap systemwith the shank guard (1) bottom (1 c) being evident with ribs or ridges,first strap (6) shown in position through the device slot (2) (notshown), and second strap (9) attached to first strap (6). Second strap(9) is shown with extra length being securely adjusted by a hook andloop closure system at points between 9′ and 9″. Point 9″ approximatesthe rear ankle or heel area of the footwear (omitted).

Shown in FIG. 6C is a side view of the shank guard (1) with first strap(6) through slot (2) and second strap (9) positioned on first strap (6).Buckle (7) would be positioned approximately atop the instep/toe portionof the footwear (omitted).

FIG. 6D shows a top view of the shank guard and two strap systemassembly.

Shown in FIG. 7 is a further elevation view of the shank guard and twostrap system in positional relationship with footwear omitted.

Shown in FIG. 8 is a side view of the shank guard positioned on a bootand secured through its slot with a first strap wrapped about theinstep/toe portion of the boot and secured with a buckle, and a secondstrap, secured to the first strap, the second strap wrapped about theankle/heel portion of the boot.

The descriptions and embodiments described and pictured are instructiveof the device and securing attachments and it is noted that equivalentstructures may be adapted and utilized to accomplish the intendedpurposes. For example, any shoe or other footwear may be substituted fora boot. The shank guard may be constructed of metals, plastics, rubbers,polymers or any combination thereof, suitable to withstand its intendedfunction. Similarly, any securing means which may allow attachment andremoval of the shank guard from footwear without functional damage tothe footwear may be suitably substituted for the strap and hook and loopclosure attachments. Such securing means may include cements, glues,spikes or tabs designed to fit into a complementary slot cut into a bootheel.

1. A device, substantially wedge shaped, sized to fit to the undersideof a boot sole and adjacent a boot heel without impeding normal functionof the boot for walking.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said deviceincludes a securing means to secure said device to said boot sole. 3.The device of claim 1 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottomsurface of said device.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein said deviceincludes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
 5. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strapto secure said device to said boot sole.
 6. The device of claim 2wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strap to securesaid device to said boot sole.
 7. The device of claim 3 wherein saiddevice includes a slot for the passage of a strap to secure said deviceto said boot sole.
 8. The device of claim 6 wherein the securing meanscomprises a first strap designed to hold the device to the underside ofa boot sole while said first strap is wrapped about the instep/toeportion of the boot and secured with a buckle, and a second strapdesigned to be secured to the first strap, the second strap wrappedabout the ankle/heel portion of the boot and secured with a hook andloop and closure system.
 9. The device of claim 6 wherein the securingmeans comprises a first strap designed to hold the device to theunderside of a boot sole while said first strap is wrapped about theinstep/toe portion of the boot and secured with a hook and loop andclosure system, and a second strap designed to be secured to the firststrap, the second strap wrapped about the ankle/heel portion of the bootand secured with a hook and loop closure system.
 10. The device of claim6 wherein the securing means comprises a hook and loop closure systemapplied to the underside of a boot sole and a complementary hook andloop closure system applied to the top surface of the device.
 11. Thedevice of claim 8 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottomsurface of said device.
 12. The device of claim 9 wherein said deviceincludes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
 13. The device ofclaim 10 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface ofsaid device.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein said device furtherincludes an integral pad of rubber affixed to the top surface.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottomsurface of said device.
 16. The device of claim 2 wherein said devicefurther includes an integral pad of rubber affixed to the top surface.